Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Animal \An"i*mal\, a. [Cf. F. animal.]
   1. Of or relating to animals; as, animal functions.

   2. Pertaining to the merely sentient part of a creature, as
      distinguished from the intellectual, rational, or
      spiritual part; as, the animal passions or appetites.

   3. Consisting of the flesh of animals; as, animal food.

   {Animal magnetism}. See {Magnetism} and {Mesmerism}.

   {Animal electricity}, the electricity developed in some
      animals, as the electric eel, torpedo, etc.

   {Animal flower} (Zo["o]l.), a name given to certain marine
      animals resembling a flower, as any species of actinia or
      sea anemone, and other Anthozoa, hydroids, starfishes,
      etc.

   {Animal heat} (Physiol.), the heat generated in the body of a
      living animal, by means of which the animal is kept at
      nearly a uniform temperature.

   {Animal spirits}. See under {Spirit}.

   {Animal kingdom}, the whole class of beings endowed with
      animal life. It embraces several subkingdoms, and under
      these there are Classes, Orders, Families, Genera,
      Species, and sometimes intermediate groupings, all in
      regular subordination, but variously arranged by different
      writers.

   Note: The following are the grand divisions, or subkingdoms,
         and the principal classes under them, generally
         recognized at the present time:



   Note: If we examine a common flower, such for instance as a
         geranium, we shall find that it consists of: First, an
         outer envelope or calyx, sometimes tubular, sometimes
         consisting of separate leaves called sepals; secondly,
         an inner envelope or corolla, which is generally more
         or less colored, and which, like the calyx, is
         sometimes tubular, sometimes composed of separate
         leaves called petals; thirdly, one or more stamens,
         consisting of a stalk or filament and a head or anther,
         in which the pollen is produced; and fourthly, a
         pistil, which is situated in the center of the flower,
         and consists generally of three principal parts; one or
         more compartments at the base, each containing one or
         more seeds; the stalk or style; and the stigma, which
         in many familiar instances forms a small head, at the
         top of the style or ovary, and to which the pollen must
         find its way in order to fertilize the flower. --Sir J.
         Lubbock.

   3. The fairest, freshest, and choicest part of anything; as,
      the flower of an army, or of a family; the state or time
      of freshness and bloom; as, the flower of life, that is,
      youth.

            The choice and flower of all things profitable the
            Psalms do more briefly contain.       --Hooker.

            The flower of the chivalry of all Spain. --Southey.

            A simple maiden in her flower Is worth a hundred
            coats of arms.                        --Tennyson.

   4. Grain pulverized; meal; flour. [Obs.]

            The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a
            sort of glue.                         --Arbuthnot.

   5. pl. (Old. Chem.) A substance in the form of a powder,
      especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the
      flowers of sulphur.

   6. A figure of speech; an ornament of style.

   7. pl. (Print.) Ornamental type used chiefly for borders
      around pages, cards, etc. --W. Savage.

   8. pl. Menstrual discharges. --Lev. xv. 24.

   {Animal flower} (Zo["o]l.) See under {Animal}.

   {Cut flowers}, flowers cut from the stalk, as for making a
      bouquet.

   {Flower bed}, a plat in a garden for the cultivation of
      flowers.

   {Flower beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any beetle which feeds upon
      flowers, esp. any one of numerous small species of the
      genus {Meligethes}, family {Nitidulid[ae]}, some of which
      are injurious to crops.

   {Flower bird} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian bird of the genus
      {Anthornis}, allied to the honey eaters.

   {Flower bud}, an unopened flower.

   {Flower clock}, an assemblage of flowers which open and close
      at different hours of the day, thus indicating the time.
      

   {Flower head} (Bot.), a compound flower in which all the
      florets are sessile on their receptacle, as in the case of
      the daisy.

   {Flower pecker} (Zo["o]l.), one of a family ({Dic[ae]id[ae]})
      of small Indian and Australian birds. They resemble
      humming birds in habits.

   {Flower piece}.
      (a) A table ornament made of cut flowers.
      (b) (Fine Arts) A picture of flowers.

   {Flower stalk} (Bot.), the peduncle of a plant, or the stem
      that supports the flower or fructification.